Falcons can beat France – Jossy Lad

Jossy Lad has said that Super Falcons hold the key to their success against France in today’s Group A opener of the 2011 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Germany.

Although the immediate past coach of the Falcons could not recall any previous encounter with the Europeans, he told SuperSport.com that the Nigerians have the edge going into the duel and need determination to finish off their opponents.

“Super Falcons have started very well. They have good preparations, played some quality grade A friendly matches, left early enough to Germany to acclimatise unlike the previous fire brigade approaches which means they have started very well.

“I cannot remember when we played France but you can only assume that any team that comes to the finals must be a good side.

“The Super Falcons of today are mixture of old and young players and if their performances at the Africa Women Championship in South Africa are anything to go by and God on their side they will beat France. They only need to show commitment which is the key to their success,” said Lad.

Lad, who said the six-time African champions will beat their 1999 quarterfinals feat, equally tipped the Falcons to give the Germans a run for their money in the second group match billed for Frankfurt on June 30.

“The 8-0 defeat in the hands of the Germans during the international friendly will not affect them after all during the Olympics we conceded only one goal to them.

“I cannot use the friendly to assess them because they were not prepared for the game just back from the AWC and still in a celebration mood coupled with a chilly weather in Germany. I will not judge them with that result and I am sure it will not affect their morale. I see them going all out to beat the Germans.

“Football is a nasty game. Most often it does not tell the story. It is a 50/50 chance and I see them progressing beyond the quarterfinals,” he said. Falcons are due to face France on Sunday in Sinsheim, southwest Germany then play hosts, Germany on June 30 in Frankfurt before rounding off the group games against Canada on July 5 in Dresden.